The university students and development professionals allege the government for ignoring the issues of the youth and adolescent in the province.
In a discussion in 'Smooth Transition from adolescent to youth' they urged the government to focus genuine issues and engage them in positive activities.
"Youth living in urban areas face different issues that living in rural areas," analysed Javed Hussain, the consultant for UNDP to Youth Policy Programme. "The youth in lower Sindh have different problems than those living in upper parts of the province," he added.
He said that one of the major issues the youth has been facing since long was their mental health. "We need to focus on this issue immediately," he suggested, adding that budget should be allocated at district level.
"We are not listening to our young people," said Madia Latif, the deputy country director of Path Finder International. She said that mental health and menstrual issues the young girls facing were very important issues to be addressed. She also said that the young people don't have access to physical activities.
Prof Ismail Kumbhar also said that Sindh's young generation is under mental stress. "Their physical and mental health is in danger," he pointed out. "About 40 per cent children in the province are stunted because of food insecurity," he explained. He suggested the government to focus on green economy, saying Sindh was land of opportunities.
"We concentrate on future challenges but ignore existing infrastructure," commented Prof Shuhab Mughal. He said that government could invest in training rural youth and unemployed people. "Their [positive] contribution could change everything," he added.
The development professional Suleman Abro said that there were 6.4 billion children out of school in the province. He also pointed out that not only formal education but technical skills should also be focused. "There is not a shortage of resources, but a clear vision," he said. He also urged the government to listen to youth and address their issues for a better future for the country.
A student from Kashmore said that early marriage was of the major issue his area has been facing. "We [youth] are given weapons not pens and books at early age," he said. "What do you expect then?" he questioned.
The students from different universities said that depression and mental anxiety were issues the youth were facing.
Special Secretary of Sports Department Qamar Raza said that youth and adolescent need to be aware of their due rights. "Awareness is very important." "The basic issue is poverty. Access to potable water is also an issue," Raza said. He advised the youth to learn technical skills. He said that the future of Pakistan was its youth. "We need to streamline them," he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2022.
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